Scotland to play Tonga on artificial pitch

Ap
Sunday, August 10, 2014

EDINBURGH - Scotland will become the first top-tier rugby nation to host a match on an artificial pitch when it takes on Tonga during the November Tests.

Bernard Lapasset, chairman of the International Rugby Board, said it was an "exciting development" and backs the decision as "it can provide a consistent and low-maintenance alternative to natural pitches".

In a statement released by Scotland yesterday, Lapasset says playing internationals on artificial pitches will be "useful in parts of the world where growing and maintaining a high-quality grass surface is not straight forward".

The match will be played at Rugby Park, the home of Kilmarnock football club, on November 22.